Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference in the achievement levels between five-year-old Head Start children who participate in a 134-day program (3.5 hours per day), a 170-day program (3.5 hours per day), and a 245-day program (seven to ten hours per day) as measured by the Desired Results Developmental Profile+ (DRDP+). Methodology. The subjects in the present study were 310 five-year-old Head Start children who participate in a 134-day program, 310 five-year-old Head Start children from a 170-day program, and 310 five-year-old Head Start children from a 245-day program from the thirty-nine Head Start schools throughout San Bernardino County in the 2004-2005 program year. Subjects responded to the DRDP+ assessment tool. Findings. The results indicated a significant difference in forty-two measures between a 134-day program and a 170-day program; eighteen measures between a 134-day program and a 245-day program; nine measures between a 170-day program and a 245-day program. Conclusions. (1) In Desired Result 1 - It is reasonable to conclude that children from a 170-day program are excelling in this area. (2) In Desired Result 2 - It is reasonable to conclude that children from a 170-day program are ready to learn. (3) In Desired Result 3 - It is reasonable to conclude that children from a 170-day program are surpassing the children from the other two programs in this area. (4) In Desired Result 4 - It is reasonable to conclude that children from a 170-day program are doing better than children from the other two programs in this desired result. (5) The results indicated that children attending 245-day program progress better than the other two programs in nine areas could transpire through normal standard development from the rate of children's growth. One would conclude that there are no significant gains for these children beyond what is normal. (6) Looking at all areas as a whole, the researcher's conclusion of this study is that anything beyond the 170 days is debatable in what the children gained. Recommendations. A study be replicated using a different curriculum other than High/Scope in relating to children's achievement levels; a study examine the level of parent involvement to the children's achievement levels; a study be done on teachers' education levels and teaching styles; a study be done to examine the teachers' primary language compare to the children primary language; a follow-up comparison study be done with Head Start children and their achievement levels at the end of their kindergarten year.